RealGM

The Pacers are all over the trade board right now as people are getting wise to being able to trade for guys like AlJeff and then cutting him to save money. I wanted to post about some of those targets, but the offseason FA thread here doesn't seem like quite the right place so here's a companion piece.

Who are the players you'd like the Pacers to try and target via trade this offseason? I'm mostly focused on guys we could pry away to save another team money or a player we could maybe collect along with taking on bad money. We could try for picks in deals like this too, but I guess here I'm more interested in young players we could try to take on while saving somebody else money.

PORTLAND:
They're over the cap and have several contracts that line up with ours like Harkless and Leonard. There's one on the trade board where we give up Al and a 1st for Harkless which is too rich for my blood, but if we could swap one of these partial guarantees for Harkless I would do that. Would you accept a 1st to eat Leonard's deal?

DETROIT:
I'd like to see us land Stanley Johnson. I still think he can be a good player in the right situation. Al Jeff for Jon Leuer and Johnson was one I suggested in the Pacers offseason thread on the trade board. Leuer could still potentially be useful as a stretch-4 in his own right. They also have Reggie Jackson and Galloway as deals they may want to move instead.

MIAMI:
I like Winslow and Detroit's Johnson about the same, but I think Winslow has a higher value right now so he'd be harder to get. I don't like a lot of Miami's contracts. There's Waiters and Tyler Johnson, these are both guys that aren't awful players on their own but are overpaid. Could we take on one of those to land Winslow? Something along these lines was floated in a Zach Lowe article last offseason. Here's the LINK

Among my favorite versions of this: Winslow and Dion Waiters to the Pacers in exchange for Bojan Bogdanovic (on a semi-expiring contract), Cory Joseph, and perhaps some throw-in to make Miami feel less crappy about punting on Winslow.

CHARLOTTE:
There are some really bad contracts here and I don't really want anything to do with most of them, but if they wanted to cut some salary we could move one of these contracts straight up for MKG. That dude can't shoot, but I still think he could be a useful SF for us in a defensive unit. He's still young as well (24).

WASHINGTON:
They'll have a money crunch coming soon too. If we took on the likes of Mahinmi, Gortat or Morris could we land an asset? I think everyone on our board likes Oubre as another SF option (lots of those in this list) and Washington may be thinking they won't want to pay him soon anyway. I think Satoransky could be a good option in our backcourt as well. He's old for his NBA experience level (26), but he did well in Wall's absence this year.

In addition to these there may be marquee teams like Houston and the Lakers looking to make cap room for signing the big name FAs and we can be a part of that. The partial guarantees for Bojan and DC kick in before free agency so those teams will have to be anticipating a move in advance of a promise from the FAs. Those teams I'd assume would be offloading picks to move their contracts rather than young guys.

You should take a listen to the Pritchard interviews. He is talking about players who are shooters, versatile (multi-position players) and fit with the team from a chemistry/attitude perspective. That eliminates a BUNCH of the players suggested. And I can't see him shipping out DC, Bojan or CoJo for the guys you mentioned. Matter of fact, I have a hard time picturing him sending out and of those players at all.

Tom White wrote:You should take a listen to the Pritchard interviews. He is talking about players who are shooters, versatile (multi-position players) and fit with the team from a chemistry/attitude perspective. That eliminates a BUNCH of the players suggested. And I can't see him shipping out DC, Bojan or CoJo for the guys you mentioned. Matter of fact, I have a hard time picturing him sending out and of those players at all.

Every team wants versatile shooters. If those are available we should absolutely get some. In my list both Harkless and Satoransky shot around 50% from the field and over 40% from 3 (technically, Meyers Leonard has a 50/40/90 season under his belt too). Oubre, Johnson and Winslow are not consistent shooters, but they're all young and have some versatility. MKG is definitely something else entirely, but he's more of a guy I think is worth his contract and helps in other ways. Plus we've had some success with former #2 overall picks lately.

What are some names that you think meet the criteria? They don't have to be available/gettable, I'm just curious.

I'm not as big in taking back bad contracts just for a pick like some here have hinted at. I would rather have some room to play with than have a pick in the 20s with a bad contract attached. But that is just me. I'm one who thinks it is really hard to hit on players in the 20s.

Pacers_Freak wrote:I'm not as big in taking back bad contracts just for a pick like some here have hinted at. I would rather have some room to play with than have a pick in the 20s with a bad contract attached. But that is just me. I'm one who thinks it is really hard to hit on players in the 20s.

I don't have high expectations for late picks either which is why I'm more excited about young players that were drafted highly but haven't found their stride yet. Basically, we've had a steady string of most improved players through the Pacers roster and I want to keep it rolling by grabbing a high upside player. The difference between these contracts and cap space is that cap space can roll over (though teams usually just spend what they have). These partial guarantees are a one-time use item. We can get something for them now, but after July comes and goes then those opportunities are gone. Jefferson's date is later so he can still be used though he doesn't have as much cost savings to the receiving team so maybe won't net as much back.

I appreciate what Collison and Bojan brought to the Pacers this year and they definitely helped create the environment we have. But, neither of them were highly sought after free agents last offseason. I mean, look at these team friendly deals they were willing to sign. They played well enough that it's hard to part with them and they look appropriately paid, but I'd kick the tires on any chance to make the team better in the long run.

Of the guys from your list I do like Winslow and Harkless.

Not sure how we could acquire them though. Harkless isn't really worth a 1st, and doubt Portland just dumps him.

Winslow played better at the end of the year and playoffs. Looking around the league I see Winslow as a player that could make a nice jump next year. If a 1st/Leaf could get Winslow I would do it.
But if we have to take money back,Waiters contract is the only one I could see us taking back($12m), But I just don't see Waiters as a fit on this team.

Tom White wrote:You should take a listen to the Pritchard interviews. He is talking about players who are shooters, versatile (multi-position players) and fit with the team from a chemistry/attitude perspective. That eliminates a BUNCH of the players suggested. And I can't see him shipping out DC, Bojan or CoJo for the guys you mentioned. Matter of fact, I have a hard time picturing him sending out and of those players at all.

Good point on KP I saw this wiretap story about the possibility of resigning PG. His questions are does PG even fit our team culture.

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/249822/Kevin-Pritchard-Wants-To-Know-If-Paul-George-Fits-Pacers-Before-Pursuing-Him-In-Free-Agency

Rozier? I was thinking Rozier + ? For Turner

I have a feeling Rodney Hood will not be back in Cleveland. Since they got him from Utah his production is down and he refused to go into the game when they were up big in game 4 over the Raps. He may have really damaged his value, could he be signed for a small amount $5-6 million 2 yrs he'd have incentive to rebuild his image. If he would come in with the Humility that KP is looking for he could be a great addition at SF.

Baller1234a wrote:Rozier? I was thinking Rozier + ? For Turner

I like Rozier but not at the cost of Turner, you'd have to over pay bigly!

basketballwacko2 wrote:

Baller1234a wrote:Rozier? I was thinking Rozier + ? For Turner

I like Rozier but not at the cost of Turner, you'd have to over pay bigly!

Got it. Thanks. I was thinking MEM and Rozier would give y’all an asset solve the Sabonis Turner situation and give you a prospect with all star upside who would be a good fit with Oladipo but Turner could be special so I understand keeping him.

I'd rather let our own very young 4 try to blossom than to trade him for another team's slow developer slash bad scheme fit.

Sent from my phone.

To add the the OP's list, how do you guys feel about Otto Porter?
Porter's contract is pretty heavy (26m, 27m, 28m, over the next 3yrs)

At his current level Porter is probably over paid. But I could see him growing on a new team away from Wall/Beal/Gortat.
I could see Porter becoming a Danny Granger level player, still young(24). If Porter continues to grow and add to his game he can be worth his contract. Especially to a team like Indiana that wont attract star free agents, and has to build through the draft and trades.

What would it take to get Porter ?(with out taking other contracts back)
1st/Leaf/DC/Big Al ,enough?

For Porter Washington would have to take Al Jeff and Collision and give us a first round pick.

I do like Otto Porter even with his huge salary. I think Washington would first look to get out of Ian Mahinmi. We had a good experience with Ian and if they'd give the #15 pick I'd be ok with taking him. His contract is one of those that declines, $15.9 million in 2018-19 and $15.4 in 2019-20. A lot of money for what he has been giving and he'd likely play 2nd or 3rd string center behind Myles and Domas.

If they can't move Ian they might look to move Porter and promote Oubre to the starting SF. His Contract is huge, $26, 27 and $28 million in his final player option year. I really think they over paid him. If he was here he might earn that paycheck or he might be an over paid role player. IDK?

Less risk in taking on Ian for Jefferson and getting a pick. Would Washington do that? Again IDK. 15 is a pretty high pick to dump a contract.

Pacerlive wrote:For Porter Washington would have to take Al Jeff and Collision and give us a first round pick.

I agree the salary/Tax savings would be great enough for them. I see that contract as a mistake. Plus giving up Collison would bite hard because he's our starting point guard.

Baller1234a wrote:

basketballwacko2 wrote:

Baller1234a wrote:Rozier? I was thinking Rozier + ? For Turner

I like Rozier but not at the cost of Turner, you'd have to over pay bigly!

Got it. Thanks. I was thinking MEM and Rozier would give y’all an asset solve the Sabonis Turner situation and give you a prospect with all star upside who would be a good fit with Oladipo but Turner could be special so I understand keeping him.

I'm not convinced that Turner and Sabonis can't play together. Turner is better offensively with his shooting so play him on office at PF and Defense switch to Center. Sabonis is not as good a shooter so he plays center on offense and PF on Defense.

I see no reason not to try this. Somewhat hinges on Thad Young and what he wants to do about his final yr and future with the team.

Tippy wrote:To add the the OP's list, how do you guys feel about Otto Porter?
Porter's contract is pretty heavy (26m, 27m, 28m, over the next 3yrs)

Although he is talented, his contract is way too much.

At his current level Porter is probably over paid....I could see Porter becoming a Danny Granger level player.

To me, that just reinforces that he is overpaid. For all the love Granger gets, he was never Batman. He was Robin in search of a Batman. Would have been a terrific number two option.

Especially to a team like Indiana that wont attract star free agents, and has to build through the draft and trades.

I keep thinking about this, and it has been the generally accepted idea for a LONG time. But, I'm not so sure it is the case anymore.

Let's face it, NOBODY wanted to come here just to play with Paul George. Regardless of what he may have said, did anyone ever see any signs that PG even tried to get players to join him here? No! He was always going to go somewhere that he thought he could "coat-tail ride" on other players.

The last time I remember hearing about a very good player wanting to join the Pacers was when Barkley wanted to join Reggie here. Yeah, a long time ago. Thing is, Reggie would have been a great guy to team with for someone like Sir Charles. Who has been on that level of being able to attract another very good player since then? No player broke down the doors to play with Granger, JO, or anyone else.

But....I DO think there are players who would like to come here and join up with Oladipo and Company to be a part of what is building here. Part of it is the players we have, part of it is the culture, and part of it is the style of play.

But part of it is also the financial situation (with regards to capspace) and competitiveness that players see as they look around the league. Let's face it, in the past players would have passed on the Pacers to go to places like New York or LA or Chicago. Not these days! I really believe the Pacers have to be viewed as a very attractive landing spot for many players. I guess we will see.

Baller1234a wrote:Rozier? I was thinking Rozier + ? For Turner

DC+1st for Rozier

Tippy wrote:To add the the OP's list, how do you guys feel about Otto Porter?
Porter's contract is pretty heavy (26m, 27m, 28m, over the next 3yrs)

At his current level Porter is probably over paid. But I could see him growing on a new team away from Wall/Beal/Gortat.
I could see Porter becoming a Danny Granger level player, still young(24). If Porter continues to grow and add to his game he can be worth his contract. Especially to a team like Indiana that wont attract star free agents, and has to build through the draft and trades.

What would it take to get Porter ?(with out taking other contracts back)
1st/Leaf/DC/Big Al ,enough?

The Washington SF we need to keep tabs on is Oubre. RFA next year, with Washington deep in the tax so unlikely to afford a big contract to keep him.

My trade proposal would look something like: Al Jeff + Leaf (or 2018 first) for Oubre + Gortat

It saves Washington tax space, and gets back a young player to develop, in exchange for someone they might lose for nothing. For the Pacers, Gortat's expiring doesn't cut into future cap space, so we should be able to keep Turner and Oubre in 2019, and maybe sign someone else as well.

Otto is a fine player, but he was signed at the peak of the cap hysteria. If he were a FA this year instead of then, I don't think he can get the same contract. I'd rather not take on others' tax headaches unless we're being well compensated.